Jay Nicholas Essen, 43, of Devils Lake, ND formerly of Bisbee, ND passed away on Friday, May 19h, 2017 at CHI, St. Alexius, Devils Lake Hospital. A private celebration of life will be held at the Benson Farm at which time Jay's ashes will be spread in the field that he first cultivated over thirty years ago. A memorial stone will be placed at the Mylo Community Cemetery.

Memorials can be made in Jay's honor to the following charities or other charities of your choice: Uffda Fund for Animals, P.O. Box 426, Cando, ND 58324 or to the Mylo Community Cemetery, 8203 49th Ave., Mylo, ND 58353.


Jay Nicholas Essen was born September 2, 1973 in Louisville, KY to Kathryn (Bulie) and Keith Essen. He moved with his mother when he was 4 years old to Cando, ND where he attended kindergarten and first grade. He then attended Bisbee-Egeland School until he graduated in 1992. Later he moved to Fargo and worked at Wisegram Metal Fabricating until his health declined and he moved to Devils Lake to be closer to his parent's farm. When his health allowed, Jay loved working on the farm and especially during harvest running the combine. His furever feline friends FatKatt and Lokey were his beloved companions and great source of comfort to him during his lengthy illness.

Jay is survived by his mother and step-father Kathy (Randy) Benson of Bisbee, ND; brothers Kullen (Krystyna) Essen, Cando, ND; (children Zachery and son Wyatt, Nicholas, Isabella, Jasen and Aiden) Jarrin Benson, Portland, OR; sister Sara (Kyle McClammer and son Maxwell) of Indianapolis, IN; step-grandparents Dick and Babe Benson of Wolford, ND. He was preceded in death by his father and maternal grandmother Viola Thompson of Cando.